New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-17
BUFFALO BILLS LONG RIDE.
THE EXASPERATING MULE,
rous TA> London 0lobA

On returning from Q long ride, In which he'd beon
socosted By Curtis the ohsf Of the scouts who -
| in . difficulty. The General was anxious to sesi
some dispatches to General sheridan q Fort Hays,
frsess Oh to the job They urged that they wore nsi
saeisntly we'll acquainted with the country to 80 By
night The dispatch vas important ana a. - c9rS
volunteer. 1t vas rather tickli.h piece OF wsrk
The whole country wsa lined by Indians. Il wee =
the dispatches mad to Be sent off, and 80 sssentsd
bargaining only that should BE- provided with the
best mount In the Fort This was readily sssented to-
the scouts took toad farewell OF me, and with Their
wishes for success ringing in my ears, set out my
long ride.
est danger was lest my horse should stumble In
hole, and run away. leaving me on the prairie. TO
hide iarst to tho bridls and the other to my BELT
wise precaution for within few miles my horse fell
twice in prairie dogs holes, and got away before
length OF the lariat he discovered that he pcketsd
to Bison Bill, which considerably abated his play.
tulness. In this way proceeded through tine night
and reached Walnut Greek, twenty-five miles out In
good time ft was here that met with my first id.
Venture Going slowly through the darkness. sud.
denly found myself in the midst OF number Of
of in all directions. knew at once that was near
Indians, so without waiting to apologize cleared
srs dsfS ss yards and 1s
heard some redskins talking. They did more than
talk, too. They mounted their mustangs and gave
chase. urged my horse to full speed and succeeded
in getting away without loss OF lite.
continued my way for several miles in straight
course, and pushed on toward smoky Hill River.
reached this point after o'clock in the morn
ing. and then pushing northward struck the old
Santa Fe trail ten miles from Fort Hays Just as day
was breaking. Arrived at the post soon after revee,
made straight for General Sheridan's headquarter,
cordially received by tue General aud. having taken
TODD and seen that my horse . Was well t cared tor
was however, not to be, for was suddenly sent for
by the General, who wished to see me. AS APP
grouped together, and evidently engaged in DISGUISE
ing something important, and soon learned what
this was General Sheridan desired to send an In
Ave miles, Volunteers were requested, but none re.
sponded. The General told mo this, and what could
General said, off there is no one ready to 7ot
unteer, I'll carry your dispatches myee.t
Tn, General expressed himself geeatly pleased at
my offer, but at the same time said that he had not
thought Of asking me to undertake the duty had
bseu fully hard worked already But it was very im-
portant that the dispatches should 60,
you don't get courier BY 1elock bn sa's after
have fresh horse, and meantime will take little
rest" 1t not much rest that got, but punctu.
mounting a fresh horse. started on the road.
crossed Smoky Hill River at dark, and 1t was just
daylight as rode up to Sam Log Crossing, on the
wsre D' posted undar Major Cox. Here got fresh
horse, and continuing my lonely ride covered the re.
naming twenty-five miles to Fort Dodge. AMI arrived
soon after o'clock, without having seen single
Indian.
Having delivered my dispatches and rested an hour
was informed that the Commander wished to send
some dispatches to Fort Larned, my own post /, Of
course. readily undertook to carry these, and my
offer was gladly accepted by the General "provided
thought could stand the trip after my reeeAt
fatigue"
"All want is fresh horse, sir" said.
Here was the difficulty. There was not such .
be lad being Government mules, Of which there was
a large choice made difficulty about this:
a" Trot out your mule" said. AMI am ready now"
The mule was rapidly forthcoming, and at dark I
started once more the road for Fort Larned, and
proceeded without interruption to Coon Creek,
thirty miles from Fort Dodge.
Here 1 dismounted, and led my mule to pool to
give him some ater. l also stood myself drink,
using my hat for dipper, and, while engaged IN
of and ambled away down to the creek. Then IL
flashed my mind that in the hurry OF departure
had omitted to make my lariat fast to him. and that
he at large.
followed him gently, in the hopes OF getting hold OF
his briale and that he would perchance stop He did
not He made straight tor the wagon road, but in
ate al of making for Fort Dodge, as l expected he
would he turned toward Fort Larned, and logged
sr Several times succsoaed ia getting Just up to
him. when he would put on squirt and go ahead easy
Stacking down as soon as gave uf chase. ! was
o.
fortunately held in my hand, but the report would
have probably brought the Indians down on me, and
as he WAS besides company Tor me, | refraned. And
thus The mule marched on, and followed on loot
curslng
From Coon Creek to Fort Larned is thirty-6ve
miles and we-that is, the mule aud myself-made
pretty good time. There was nothing to hold tho
mule. and was striving hard to catch him-Hhch
urged him on In addition to the excitement OF this
pedestrian competition, had the knowledge that
might any moment be pounced on BY Indians, and
have my hair lifted.
just day began to break we found ourselves still
the same order OF procession on hill looking down
on to the valley Of Pawnee Fort, with Fort Laraed
looming in the distance, and surveyed the scene,
aud the mule surveyed me, the morning gun beched
forth halt a nile away.
We took stock OF each other with expressions ,f
mutual distrust Then, addressing my opposis
Times up" / said, and it's my turn am
deeply Indebted to you for your company but we must
part" Then raised my gun to my shoulder ana
blazed away, hitting the beast on the hip. Inserting
second cartridge, fired into him again. aud twice
more until at last he lay strethed out nice and com
one, and died hard.
Nv shots brought out the troops, and when they
him right 1 then walked into headquarters and de-
lvered my dispatches. and received the compliments
Of the General proceeded to put in some hours OF
Hays with dispatches which delivered early the
noit morning to General Sheridan. NV record OF
these rides as follows: Fort Larned to Fort hays
miles in the succeeding "a hours Fort Dodge to Fort
Larned, 35 miles mule 35 miss Of mule, the same
night; and back to Fort HAYS, 65 miles, the next
total, 295 miles, over rough country infested By
hostile Indians without any definite interval OF rest
On arriving at Fort Hays was highly complimented
by General Sheridan on my achievement "Cody,"
he said, have decided to appoint you guide and
cnief OF scouts, with the command"
And thus it came to be chief of scouts United
States Army.
THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF TORPEDOE&
Fr0m Iron.